Now that the economy is moving forward again—with unemployment down, housing starts up, and the stock market fully recovered—it’s tempting to think that we in the A/V world can return to business as usual, relying once again on new technologies and products to drive sales, and the return of old-school margins to rescue the bottom line. But if we look around us and examine the carnage of the past half-decade, there are ample indicators that things will never again be that easy. “We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto.”

Staying ahead in the consumer electronics business means having one eye open at all times for the latest trends and business opportunities. There are several ways to do this, but one very important element is establishing a strong relationship with your distributor.

At the 2014 Summit & Expo convention in Orlando Monday, Brand Source’s Home Entertainment Source (HES) division and ProSource, which includes members of both HES and PRO Group, announced their merger as an entity with its own corporate status as ProSource under the Brand Source umbrella.

The 2014 Spring Summit & Expo at the Marriott World Center, Orlando Fla.,
which runs March 16-19, held for BrandSource division Home Entertainment Source (HES) members and ProSource members, opened with a welcoming reception Sunday night.

Denver’s trendy Curtis boutique hotel was the locale where ProSource vendors and dealers - members of both Brand Source’s Home Entertainment Source (HES) and the PRO Group (the Progressive Retailers Organization) met, socialized and strategized for the holiday season ahead. Here are some snapshots from the event. (Photos: Nancy Klosek)